There鈥檚 this running joke Chicagoans like to tell: Don鈥檛 like the weather? Wait fifteen minutes. A generous interpretation is that in Chicago, there鈥檚 always a good reason to spend time outside.

Chicago is a true four-seasons town: Summers are glorious here, a place where it seems like a block party or softball tournament is always taking place. Fall foliage can be as vibrantly yellow and red as New England’s. Around the holidays, a few laps around the Ice Skating Ribbon at Millennium Park is a magical experience. And at first thaw, the Lake Michigan shore becomes repopulated with runners鈥攖he city even shuts down Lake Shore Drive once a year, turning its scenic sixteen miles into a bicyclists-only pathway.

Complaints that Chicago is too hot, too frigid, or too windy are overblown (we will accept that our topography is too flat, fine). Any excuse to get outdoors is one we鈥檒l take advantage of, and once all that energy is spent, we鈥檝e got some of the nation’s best options for good food and total relaxation at our fingertips.

Parks and Beaches

1. Northerly Island

Like London鈥檚 Hyde Park or New York鈥檚 Central Park, new-to-town runners in Chicago gravitate to and , the expansive green space downtown surrounded on three sides by skyscrapers. What most out-of-towners don鈥檛 know? Keep running south toward Soldier Field, turn east toward the Museum Campus, and you鈥檒l arrive at the most stunning vista the city offers. was once Meigs Field, an airport that jutted out into Lake Michigan. Today, it鈥檚 a peaceful if under-appreciated forty-acre park with well-kept walking and biking trails, circling a lagoon that鈥檚 ever-popular with migratory wildlife.

2. Steelworkers Park

A stone鈥檚 throw from the Indiana border is this serene lakeside park, part of Chicago鈥檚 ongoing efforts to revitalize sites abandoned by the once-mighty steel industry. Formerly part of the U.S. Steel Corporation, the converted is all walking paths and lake views, anchored by an imposing thirty-foot climbing wall that was once the factory鈥檚 ore wall.

3. Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve

One of the more picturesque views of Lake Michigan can be found here, a forty five鈥搈inute drive north of downtown Chicago on the site of a former army post. The lake stretches majestically over 70-foot-high bluff; hike down to enjoy the sandy white beach, or head away from the lake and stroll through three-plus miles of forest and pristine bird-watching trails.

4. Gillson Park

Beachgoers in Chicago aren鈥檛 expecting Maui or Playa del Carmen. But Gillson Beach, within in Wilmette, comes close to achieving a tropical ideal. With immaculate soft white sand and a recently renovated beach house, Gillson Beach鈥攃alm, clean, spacious鈥攆eels someplace far from the hubbub of the city. It鈥檚 also next to the Bah谩始铆 House of Worship; even the sight of the temple from a distance lowers blood pressure.

5. Captain Daniel Wright Woods

There鈥檚 no bad time to visit , located forty-five minutes north of Chicago, but the most charming season is autumn. The maple and oak trees in this 750-acre forest turn technicolor, as if the fall foliage was cranked to full saturation. Strolling along this three-mile loop, you may share a path with bicyclists and horseback riders alike. After your hike, it鈥檚 a short drive to Long Grove, a village famous for its apple cider donuts.

Gyms and Spas

6. Chicago Bath House

This has been unabashedly unhip since 1906. A favorite of Russians and Eastern Europeans, you鈥檒l find burly hirsute men and grandmotherly types parading carefree around the premises. There鈥檚 usually a serene look to their faces, having been harshly exfoliated or gently beaten by oak and eucalyptus branches. The on-site restaurant caps the sauna experience with cheese blintzes and thick borscht.

7. Aire Ancient Baths Chicago

High on luxury touches (and price tag), the Spanish spa chain has converted a turn-of-the-century paint factory into the city鈥檚 preeminent temple for pampering. There鈥檚 coed soaking pools and steam rooms as expected, but the draw here is the aesthetic: exposed bricks, high ceilings, candlelight, and lanterns, as if you鈥檙e bathing in an underground spring in the year 500 AD. For an extra fee, you can even soak in a tub filled with red wine.

8. First Ascent

(plus other locations)

A decade ago, four Chicago climbing enthusiasts opened a gym in the Avondale neighborhood to proselytize the sport of indoor climbing. Today, is a mini-Midwest empire, with six locations in Illinois and an outpost in Pittsburgh. But its flagship Avondale gym remains the most thrilling to visit. There鈥檚 26,000 square feet of terrain reaching sixty feet high, with group classes and personal training to suit your climbing experience.

Food and Fuel

9. BiXi Beer

An with no peer in Chicago: A house-brewed German Kolsch with green tea blossoms, sandwich buns made from Japanese milk bread, a Scotch egg with Thai flavors. Its singular dim sum brunch is reason enough to visit on weekends (see: Chicago Italian beef baos).

10. Hopleaf Bar

is to beer nerds what the Pantheon is to Rome tourists: Folks travel great distances to pay their respects. Here, you鈥檒l find nearly 200 beers鈥攆rom the obscure to the extra-obscure鈥攁long with fortifying fare like mussels and sausage platters.

11. Bungalow by Middle Brow

Does it make its own natural wine? Brew its own IPA? Bake fantastic sourdough loaves and pastries? Serve Chicago鈥檚 most beloved pizza? is the captain of the football team who鈥檚 also a straight-A student and first-chair concert violinist: You鈥檙e wowed by how it鈥檚 great at so many things.

12. Cabra

Perched on the rooftop of is chef Stephanie Izard鈥檚 Peruvian homage and what may be the prettiest restaurant in town. From the ceviches and empanadas on the menu to the sweeping al fresco views of the city, everything at shouts festive, colorful, and buoyant.

13. Heritage Bikes & Coffee

Half is a bicycle supply and repair shop. The other half is a coffee shop brewing locally roasted beans. Put bikes and coffee together and it鈥檚 a real vibe鈥攁nd a fine one-stop shop if you鈥檙e biking through the city.

Where to Stay

14. Hotel Lincoln

Approaching its 100th year, the boutique is situated on prime Chicago real estate: Overlooking the leafy splendors of Lincoln Park, and mere steps from the lake shore. On Wednesdays and Saturdays during warm weather months, the hotel sits across the street from Green City Market, the city鈥檚 beloved farmers鈥� market.

15. St. Regis Hotel

This city doesn鈥檛 lack five-star accommodations, but the newly built might be the chicest of all. A 101-story building designed by Jeanne Gang? Proximity to Millennium Park? Restaurants from celebrity chef Evan Funke? Check, check, and check.

16. Nobu Hotel

You鈥檇 expect elegant, understated touches in a hotel bearing the name of acclaimed Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa. But has achieved legendary status in certain corners of the Internet: Guests have rapturous praise for its teak soaking tub with city views. There are few pleasures more indulgent than relaxing in a wooden tub while snacking on room service otoro sushi.

Kevin Pang is a writer in Chicago. He’s a contributor to听The New York Times听and the author of听A Very Chinese Cookbook.
This piece first appeared in the summer 2025 print issue of 国产吃瓜黑料 Magazine. Subscribe now for early access to our most captivating storytelling, stunning photography, and deeply reported features on the biggest issues facing the outdoor world.

The post The Best Places to Hike, Bike, and Swim in Chicago appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

For more than four decades, Steves has guided Americans through the art, food, and culture of Europe, first with his bestselling guidebooks, then as host of his long-running PBS show, Rick Steves鈥� Europe. But lately, the seventy-year-old travel expert has fallen for a different kind of journey: long-distance hiking. From the Tour du Mont Blanc to the Alta Vias in the Dolomites, Steves now prefers alpine trails and mountain huts to museums and city squares鈥攁nd he thinks you will, too.

The Hike That Hooked Him: In September 2021, I went on a six-day, sixty-mile trek on the Tour du Mont Blanc. Here I am, supposed to be this expert on European travel, and I鈥檝e never done a multiday hike in the Alps. I loved the rhythm of my feet on the trail. It鈥檚 therapeutic. It was something totally new to me, and now I want to tell everybody what a great travel option it is.

On His Most Recent 国产吃瓜黑料: This past summer we did the Bernese Oberland Traverse. I wanted to link together some of the most venerable lodges in the Eiger and Jungfrau areas. I used Grindelwald as the springboard and hiked deep into a valley. At one point we were on a ridge high above, looking at lakes stretching out [below]. We heard the alpenhorns blowing and knew that coffee and schnapps would be served at the hut. It was enough to make a Lutheran raise his hands to the sky to praise God.

The Next Hike: This summer we鈥檙e doing a one-week hike along the Alta Via routes in the Dolomites. I鈥檓 still a fair-weather hiker, so I don鈥檛 want to sleep outdoors. I鈥檒l stay in the rifugios and huts along the way.

How Hiking Helps Him at Age Seventy: It forces you to get in shape before the trip. My body feels stronger on a hiking trip. My legs and of course my lungs feel better, even my voice is stronger. It鈥檚 an intangible value to be out there.

His Secret to Enjoying a Hike: Hire a sherpa service to take your bag from one hut to the next. That way you can just hike with your day bag and hiking poles and get lost in nature without thinking about the weight on your back. I鈥檓 not looking to impress anybody with how heavy a pack I can carry, and neither should you.

Advice Travelers Want from Him: Our focus isn鈥檛 on hotels as much as it used to be, and I think that鈥檚 because of . Advice on eating is more important than ever. Every night in Europe I鈥檓 out there for four hours checking out restaurants, because people want to know what鈥檚 good. People also want to know the nitty-gritty like how to navigate public transportation, and whether a place requires reservations. After COVID, a lot of the greatest sites in Europe expect you to reserve a spot. In Amsterdam alone, the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and some of the best restaurants all required this.

Why Instagram Influencers Can鈥檛 Replace Travel Experts: I look on social media and I see people having a wonderful time showing off how great their trip is, but I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 great for other people to plan their trips off of that. There鈥檚 a ton of information online but it鈥檚 all crowdsourced. So, all of a sudden anyone who has traveled to Paris can be the expert on where to get the best hot chocolate. But nobody is asking how many places did they try? Because the answer is usually one. There are a lot of amateurs sharing travel information out there, and there鈥檚 nothing wrong with that, but do these people know how to tell you how to best use your valuable time in Florence? I think that鈥檚 why guidebooks are still here, in fact they are growing. I鈥檓 selling more guidebooks than I鈥檝e ever sold in my life, over one million a year. It鈥檚 because we go there鈥攎y team and I spend 400 days of research time in Europe every year to update the books. Americans have the shortest vacation time in the free world. Time is a resource. And that鈥檚 why we want expert advice.

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The Centennial State is famous for its world-class river rapids, sky-high summits, and popular national parks. But somehow, its multitude of hot springs has remained an overlooked secret.

From rustic tubs in the wilderness, to full-service resorts with restaurants and posh spa offerings, Colorado is home to some seriously stunning geothermal pools, and its is celebrating its tenth听anniversary in 2025. I鈥檝e spent the last two years traveling to every soaking hub that I can muster (it鈥檚 a hard job, but somebody鈥檚 gotta do it), and put together the ultimate for a weeklong road trip to the best hot springs in the state.

This loop can easily be modified into a long weekend or tackled from a different starting point, for those with limited time.

Day 1: Denver to Chaffee County

Distance: 128 miles

It鈥檚 time to vacate the big city in search of steamy solace. Cruise through the conifer-studded hills of Highway 285 as you head southwest out of Denver. Hankering for a roadside attraction? The tiny town of Bailey is home to a historic , serving up Polish hot links and elk jalepe帽o brats.

Once you arrive in Chaffee County, you鈥檒l descend into a wide alpine valley, bordered by a wall of fourteeners听known as the Collegiate Peaks. From here, you鈥檝e got a few options for soaking. Nab a cabin or lodge room at the more upscale 听(from $175 per night), reserve a car campsite at rustic 听(from $66 per night), or rent an entire house with its own private pool at 听(from $385 per night). In the summer, nearby Buena Vista features world-class rafting and kayaking, so don鈥檛 forget your paddle.

*Day passes for Cottonwood and Mount Princeton are also available for purchase.

Day 2: Chaffee to Saguache County

Distance: 57 miles

About an hour south of Buena Vista sit a handful of less-developed springs. If you鈥檇 like to beef up your day鈥檚 activities, head 30 minutes further south to the , which is tucked away in the foothills of prominent Kit Carson Peak, where the former mining town has turned into a hub for Hindu, Buddhist, and new age spiritual practicies.听You could also tick a national park off your list, by continuing south on Highway 17 for a day of dune sledding at Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Choose from two main hot springs when you bed down on day two: 听(from $225 per night) and 听(from $50 per night). Valley View Hot Springs is part of a , and you鈥檒l have to pay a $35 annual membership fee to reserve a campsite, cabin, or day pass for soaking. It鈥檚 also an entirely clothing-optional property, ideal for those who want to go au naturel while they soak. (day passes from $18) is a bit more developed, with clean, simple lodge rooms, glamping sites, and on-site dining options for when all that relaxing inevitably stokes your hunger.

Day 3: Saguache County to Pagosa Springs

Distance: 109 miles

Wind through craggy, forested peaks on the two-hour drive along Highway 160 to Pagosa Springs. Pull over to hike the one-mile-long trail up to , a thundering cascade that鈥檚 105-feet high. Or, if you鈥檙e itching to get straight to soaking, brave the entire 109-mile drive until you come to the (day passes from $67), situated on the banks of the powerful San Juan River.

Though it was first discovered by the Southern Ute Tribe centuries ago, this site has been home to a more European-style bathhouse since 1881. These days, it鈥檚 home to a full-service resort, with 25 individual hot spring pools, a variety of rooms and suites, on-site dining, and an elegant spa. Schedule a deep tissue massage to get the kinks out, then chow down on a Green Chile Cheeseburger as the sun sets over the river basin.

Day 4: Pagosa Springs to Durango

Distance: 69 miles

Given the day鈥檚 shorter driving distance, I鈥檇 recommend sleeping in and grabbing breakfast in Pagosa Springs at , then motoring over to , to learn about the rich Native history of Southern Colorado. Stop for lunch in the outdoorsy mecca of Durango ( is a local gem) before navigating slightly out of town to reach (passes from $39, which you must book at least three months in advance).

Enjoy phenomenal mountain views from this world-class spa, which offers a variety of organic facials and healing massages. Or simply book a two- to three-hour听soaking window for the afternoon. At night, hang your hat at the Western-style log cabins at (pup-friendly lodging from $200 per night available).

Day 5: Durango to Ouray

Distance: 62 miles

This drive is more about the journey than the destination. Travel north on the , one of the most stunning byways in the country. Originally built by railroad mogul Otto Mears in the 1880s, this high-altitude road tops out at a staggering 11,018 feet. Along the way, motorists can stop at Molas Pass for hiking trails and panoramic mountain views of the San Juans. If you鈥檇 rather go chasing waterfalls, pull over just before Ouray for a top-down look at Bear Creek Falls.

Either way, don鈥檛 miss a quick stopover in Silverton, a historic mining town that now serves as an outdoor recreation hub. Knock back a pint and some al pastor tacos at , then continue past historic silver mines on the winding highway up to Ouray, often referred to as 鈥渢he Switzerland of America.鈥� If you鈥檙e camping nearby, opt for a day pass at (from $26), right in the center of downtown. But if you prefer a few more creature comforts, this town has options galore. Choose between (from $189 per night), (from $120 per night), and (from $160 per night),听each of which has its own private ponds, so you can stargaze while you soak.

Day 6: Ouray to Glenwood Springs

Distance: 176 miles

Enjoy the shift from tree-topped summits to rust-red mesas on the three-hour drive north through Montrose and Grand Junction. If you鈥檙e a national parks junkie, stop over at Black Canyon of the Gunnison for cliff鈥檚 edge vistas into a narrow ravine of dark gneiss. In July and August, don鈥檛 forget to pull over in bucolic for a box of regionally famous peaches.

Savor the historic lodge and soaking ponds of (day passes from $38), which is home to the world鈥檚 largest hot springs pool, measuring a full two city blocks in length. Famous faces, like President Teddy Roosevelt and notorious gangster Al Capone, once frequented this geothermal spa, which was constructed in 1888. Of course, if you鈥檇 prefer a more solitude-centric soak, you could reserve a cabin or a coveted day pass at 听(day passes from $34), 30 minutes away by car. There, you鈥檒l find three steamy lagoons with views of towering Mount Sopris, plus a variety of funky log cabins, all pet-friendly. Pro tip: book at least one month in advance; this site can be competitive.

Day 7: Glenwood Springs to Steamboat Springs

Distance: 115 miles

Though your soaking saga is nearly complete, there鈥檚 one more essential stop along the route: Steamboat Springs. Enjoy a dramatic morning drive through the tree-freckled cliffs of Glenwood Canyon before veering north onto Highway 131. Swerve past arid mesa tops and cow pastures all the way to your destination.

Steamboat Springs is a haven for serious skiers and snowboarders in the winter months, but come summer, it changes pace to become a rafting hub for those who dare to descend boulder-strewn Clear Creek. Here, offers a family-friendly soaking experience (day passes from $29), complete with waterslides and cold plunges. Just outside of town, (day passes from $20, cash only) caters to nature lovers who prefer glamping and car camping options tucked away in the quietude of an old growth forest. Visiting while it鈥檚 dumping snow? The offers a safe and easy ride when you鈥檙e done slaying the pow.

Emily Pennington is a national-parks expert and self-proclaimed hot-springs addict who鈥檚 also a longtime contributor to 国产吃瓜黑料. To date, she鈥檚 visited every U.S. national park and hiked on all seven continents. She recently wrote about visiting every national park, the most stunning trails in California, and a hot springs resort in a ghost town.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Colorado’s Best Hot Springs appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

Lost luggage. Damaged goods. Waiting at the carousel like lemmings to reclaim your bag. Checking a suitcase when you fly adds extra hassles and fees to your trip. In short: it鈥檚 not worth it.

For the last 15 years as a travel writer and editor, I鈥檝e flown on average once per month and, in that time, I鈥檝e only checked a bag on a handful of occasions. Mostly, I avoid it at all costs because I despise waiting at baggage claim. I鈥檝e also dealt with luggage being rerouted to Panama City, had hard-sided suitcases smashed like the front end of a wrecked Fiat, and once watched as my fishing gear spilled out onto the tarmac because the TSA opened my pack for inspection鈥攁nd then forgot to close a zipper.

Over a decade ago, I decided to forgo that rigamarole. That鈥檚 why I now travel almost exclusively with carry-on luggage, so I can cruise through airports like George Clooney in Up In the Air鈥攅fficient, deliberate, and with no time for yokels struggling to find their laptop and liquids in the security line. It鈥檚 easier than you think it is to forgo checked bags, even if you鈥檙e headed off on a far-flung adventure. I鈥檝e gone on a weeklong fishing trip in New Zealand, met buddies to float Colorado鈥檚 Gunnison Gorge, and flew to Iceland to celebrate a friend鈥檚 50th birthday party, which required me to pack a suit and tie for a disco-themed f锚te and rain gear for hiking in the highlands鈥攁ll with just a carry-on suitcase and a small backpack. Checking bags, unless you absolutely need to, is for amateurs.

国产吃瓜黑料 travel, of course, is a much different beast than Clooney鈥檚 pink-slipping weekday missions. While the specifics of a two-day business trip may be different than a 10-day tour of Peru, the principles remain the same: pack light, know which carry-on rules can be massaged, and stick with a luggage setup and packing strategy that will work in 90 percent of scenarios. Here鈥檚 a primer on how to solve the carry-on conundrum, gleaned from two decades of my own travel headaches, in addition to my favorite carry-on luggage.

If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

The Downlow on Carry-On Luggage Rules

Airline regulations for carry-on luggage sizing are often as abstruse as their algorithms for pricing flights. Each carrier is unique in its guidelines, and there are different limits鈥攂oth weight and size鈥攆or domestic and international flights. To help you navigate this red tape, here are a few things to be aware of.

Know the Official Size Restrictions

The maximum size carry-on luggage for domestic flights is, generally, 22 x 14 x 9 inches (or a combined length, width, and height that does not exceed 45 linear inches). Most domestic flights have a weight limit of 35 pounds, although many don鈥檛 even list that specific number on their sites and instead simply say something to the effect that you need to 鈥渁rrive knowing that you can easily lift your bag into an overhead bin.鈥�

For international carriers, the standard carry-on luggage size is usually slightly smaller than that of U.S. airlines, and carry-on weight allowances can be all over the place, with different limits for various classes of cabin. For example, has a 7kg (15.4 pounds) weight restriction for Economy Class and 10kg (22 pounds) for Premium Economy. (Both classes have a size limit of 21.6 x 14.9 x 8.6 inches.) For , you can board with a bag weighing a whopping 23kg (51 pounds), with a maximum size restriction of 22 x 18 x 10 inches. In short, if you鈥檙e traveling on an international airline and have doubts, look up its allowances online before you go.

Official Domestic Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Limits:

• 听 听 听 : 22 x 14 x 9 inches
• 听 听 听 : 22 x 14 x 9 inches
• 听 听 听 : 22 x 14 x 9 inches
• 听 听 听 : 24 x 16 x 10 inches
• 听 听 听 : 22 x 14 x 9 inches

Official International Airline Carry-on Luggage Size Limits:

• 听 听 听 : 21.6 x 14.9 x 8.6 inches (55 x 38 x 22 cm)
• 听 听 听 : 21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 cm)
• 听 听 听 : 15.7 x 7.8 x 9.8 inches (40 x 20 x 25 cm)
• 听 听 听 : 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm)
• 听 听 听 : 21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 inches (55 x 38 x 22 cm)

Understand the Unofficial Rules of Carry-Ons

For anyone who flies regularly, you know that the specific size restrictions outlined above are about as solid as an empty duffel bag. You can usually get away with a much larger item than one clocking in at a strict 45 linear inches. TSA agents are generally indifferent to baggage size鈥攁nd they definitely won鈥檛 check to see if yours is compatible with specific airline regulations. It’s only once boarding begins that you find out whether the airline will allow the bags you’ve got. This is where the maximum size rules can be bent (although this is not an official endorsement or recommendation you try that). Here鈥檚 how:

Assume You Can Get Away with a Slightly Larger Bag: In general, if it fits in the overhead space and you don鈥檛 need a pulley system to lift it into place, you鈥檙e probably good to go. The caveat here is that if it looks heavy and bulky, a flight attendant is likely going to call you out on it before you even try. An oversized duffel packed with ski gear? It鈥檚 a dead giveaway and you may be forced to check it. A giant backpack that would satisfy the needs of a thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail? Chances are you鈥檒l be forced to check it, too.

But if you鈥檙e wheeling on a hardshell suitcase, even with a front pocket stuffed with rain gear that makes it much bigger than the maximum size restriction, few flight attendants will bat an eye鈥攁ssuming you can get it to fit in the overhead space easily enough.

Your Choice of Carry-On Matters: 鈥淏enefit of the doubt鈥� is why I like to travel with roller suitcases. The companies designing these bags, like Away, Rimowa, and Tumi, are intimately familiar with airline restrictions and how bags best fit in the overhead space. Wheeling one of these on the airplane already assumes鈥攊n the flight attendants鈥� eyes, at least鈥攖hat it will fit in the overhead space. If it doesn鈥檛, a flight attendant will usually gate check the bag for free, which means you can pick it up in the jet bridge or on the tarmac when you deplane. (Although sometimes they make you check it through to your destination, and you鈥檙e stuck waiting at baggage claim.)

In a nutshell, it鈥檚 usually best to opt for a standard issue roller bag or a small duffel as your main carry-on. If you need to travel with a larger duffel or backpack, make it appear smaller than it is by using the built-in compression straps to shrink it down as much as possible, then tuck in any loose straps. It won鈥檛 always work, but sometimes they鈥檒l feel bad enough for you and let you store it overhead.

Hedge Your Packing Strategy: If you are bringing on a carry-on that you know is larger than the official size limits, make sure not to pack anything in it that you don鈥檛 want to get tossed around if you鈥檙e forced to check it. For example, don鈥檛 pack your laptop, medications, or anything of value in it. If they ask you to check it as you鈥檙e boarding the plane, you should be prepared to hand over the suitcase at a moment鈥檚 notice and let everyone else continue boarding (I beg of you).

Personal Items: What You Should Know

Many airlines don鈥檛 specify exact size restrictions for personal items, but the that all carry-on luggage fits under the seat in front of you if it鈥檚 not in an enclosed storage compartment. In my experience, flight attendants are fundamentalists about abiding by this rule, so there鈥檚 no point in trying to hide a 75-liter backpack under the seat. You鈥檒l get asked to move it鈥攁nd likely check it.

That said, most flight attendants don鈥檛 police the size of personal items as you鈥檙e boarding the plane, so all you need to do is make sure you can cram it under the seat when you sit down. This is why a medium-sized backpack works well: paired with a suitcase or duffel bag, you can stuff it full of an impressive amount of clothes and gear and still get it to fit under the seat.

Also, when boarding the plane, the attendants will focus primarily on evaluating your larger bag and overlook your personal item, so you can often get away with a larger second carry-on鈥攁gain, as long as you鈥檙e able to stow it properly under the seat.

Outdoor Gear and the TSA

While TSA does not, generally, police policies on the size of your carry-on, they do care (very much, in fact) about the items in your bag鈥攑articularly camping equipment like pocket-knives, fuel canisters, lighters, and other banned items. In fact, it has an entire section on its website devoted to . Bear spray? No way. Bicycle pumps? Yes. Camp stoves? Only if they鈥檙e clean of residual fuel. (Fuel canisters are a hard no.)

Be sure to check the list linked to above if you plan to bring any sporting gear to verify specific rules regarding that item. For example, sunscreen is one product that many people forget. It鈥檚 considered a liquid so, if it鈥檚 over three ounces, you鈥檒l have to toss it in the trash to get through TSA purgatory.

Also, double check every gear bag you鈥檙e carrying on to make sure there鈥檚 no errant banned item (especially in the pockets). Twice I鈥檝e brought my fishing pack along and had an agent pull me aside to confiscate a folding knife that I had forgotten I鈥檇 stashed.

The Best Carry-On Luggage: Duffels, Packs, Suitcases, and More

Sorting out what to pack for each trip should be easy: don鈥檛 bring anything you won鈥檛 absolutely need. I generally abide by the rule of three: skip the third pair of shoes, the third sweater, the third pair of pants, etc. Pick clothes that you know you鈥檒l wear more than once. Also, wear the heaviest clothes and large hiking shoes onto the plane and carry on your coat (it doesn鈥檛 count as an item).

When it comes time to pack, you should already know whether you鈥檙e bringing a roller, duffel bag, or backpack as your main carry-on, thanks to whatever specific adventure you have in store (like a backcountry raft trip or train trip through Europe). If not, simply opt for the default: a wheeled suitcase and a small or medium-sized backpack or tote. You can鈥檛 go wrong with any of the options listed below.

Carry-On Suitcases

Wheeled suitcases are designed for jaunts to and through the airport, and they excel at this鈥攚hich is why they should be your go-to choice for most types of travel, even the adventurous kind.

In addition to being perfect for airport cruising, they can also usually withstand the abuse they take on the ground. I鈥檝e had my Away suitcase strapped to the side of a snowmobile to reach a backcountry hut in British Columbia and thrown into the rear of a floatplane shuttle to a remote river in Labrador. While they may be less ideal than duffles in some scenarios鈥攍ike my aforementioned examples鈥攂ecause they鈥檙e so adept at helping you cruise through terminals or navigate city sidewalks, dealing with the awkwardness of roller bags off the pavement is worth it. In short, everyone should have a roller suitcase as their default travel bag. When selecting one, just make sure that the company has a warranty鈥攍ifetime preferable鈥攖hat covers normal wear and tear.

Best All-Around Suitcase: Away The Bigger Carry-On Classic

Dimensions: 22.7 x 15.4 x 9.6 inches

Cost: $295

Most hard-sided suitcases are extremely similar in design and durability these days. Away rises to the top because it hits the sweet spot between functionality, durability, and cost. It鈥檚 a mid-priced workhorse, with an interior mesh organization system that compresses clothes on one side, with a storage compartment for bulkier items, like shoes, on the other. Its 360-degree wheels are sturdy and smooth, and an exterior polycarbonate shell absorbs bumps and collisions with ease. I鈥檝e used the same one for the last ten years and it鈥檚 held up remarkably well, considering all the abuse I鈥檝e put it through. I suspect it鈥檒l work well for whatever you toss its way, too.

Best Soft-Sided Suitcase: Briggs and Riley Essential 22″ Carry-On Expandable Spinner

Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 x 11.5 inches

Cost: $699

Soft-sided suitcases usually stand up to dings and scratches much better than hard-sided options, and this one from Briggs and Riley is as durable as anything on the market, made with ballistic nylon fabric and outfitted with impact-resistant corner guards that actually work. It鈥檚 also capable of a neat packing trick: it can expand to fit all your gear and then, once it鈥檚 zipped shut, compresses via pushing down on each side, where a latching system locks the sides in place. There鈥檚 a large front pocket for easy access to items like a jacket or sweater and it comes with Briggs and Riley鈥檚 best-in-class lifetime guarantee, which makes the steep price more than worth the cost.

Carry-On Duffel Bags

Best Overall: The North Face Base Camp Voyager Duffel 42L

Dimensions: 23” x 14.7” x 10.2” inches

Cost: $135

Any person who camps, hikes, climbs, fishes, runs, or does anything else outdoors can attest: a nearly bombproof duffel bag like this one from The North Face is a lifesaver for organizing gear. It works equally well for traveling, with an adjustable interior divider to help with organization, padded shoulder straps that can be stowed behind the back panel, and even a laptop compartment. Made from ballistic nylon and polyester tarpaulin, it鈥檚 designed for the long haul and solid backcountry beat-ups.

Best Wheeled Duffel: Patagonia Black Hole Matte Wheeled Duffel 40L

Dimensions: 21.75 x 14.5 x 11 inches

Cost: $359

This 2,400-cubic-inch bag鈥攖he two-wheeled version of Patagonia鈥檚 iconic Black Hole duffel, below鈥攊s perfect for plane travel when you have Type 2 fun planned for your final destination and need to pull it more than 90 percent of the time. It offers the same burly performance as the original duffel, with polyester ripstop fabric and reinforced handles. But this one also has oversized wheels for getting around the terminal and, say, the cobbled streets of colonial Quito.

Carry-On Backpacks

Not all backpacks will fit under the seat in front of you, so when buying one, be sure to consider how you want to use it: as a carry-on meant to be stowed overhead or as a personal item for stashing in front of your feet.

Best Overall: Yeti Crossroads 22L

Dimensions: 18.5 x 12 x 7.1 inches

Cost: $200

With 22 liters of space, this pack is perfect for stashing impressive amounts of clothes and gear while still fitting under the seat in front of you. There鈥檚 an inside sleeve for a laptop; a zippered compartment up top for easy access to sunglasses, keys, and a passport; and a luggage pass-through panel allows you to affix it to the handle of your roller suitcase while cruising through airports. And because it鈥檚 made from Yeti鈥檚 proprietary Tuffskin nylon, it can withstand being tossed around once you arrive at your destination. I can back this up from firsthand experience hiking with it in a rainstorm in Iceland and after lashing it to the back of a motorcycle in Morocco for a tour through the desert. This same pack is available in 27 liter and 35 liter versions, if you want to opt for the larger size and use it as your primary carry-on bag.

Best Laptop Backpack: Cotopaxi Allpa Mini 20L Travel Pack

Dimensions: 17 x 10 x 8 inches

Cost: $140

Sometimes all you need is a pack that can haul your laptop through the airport and then help you lug around a camera or a water bottle when you鈥檙e at your destination. With a sleek design that weighs just 18 ounces, this pack is perfect for those types of trips, where versatility is key and you鈥檙e on the go most days. It has an internal sleeve to secure a tablet or small laptop, a water bottle pocket, and two large internal main pockets for organizing other gear.

Best Big Backpack: Patagonia Black Hole MLC 45L

Dimensions: 22″ x 14.5″ x 7.6″ inches

Cost: $239

If you鈥檙e forgoing a suitcase or a duffle bag and want to use a backpack to travel with all of your clothes and gear, this is the pack that’ll get the job done. With 2,746 cubic inches of space, it鈥檚 big enough to store enough gear for a long weekend鈥攐r even weeklong鈥攖rip, yet it鈥檚 compact enough to fit in the overhead space of most planes. There鈥檚 a padded laptop pocket and a large interior space with two other pockets for organization and it can be carried as a backpack, shoulder bag, or duffel.

Miscellaneous Travel and Packing Gear: Compression Bags and Totes

When traveling, not only do you need to get from point A to B, you also need to live out of your carry-on for the trip. This means staying organized on the road, and to help you do that, I recommend a packing cube (or two) and a tote. Having them on hand makes everything easier. I rarely go anywhere without them.

Best Compression Bag: Eagle Creek Pack-It Isolate Compression Cube

Dimensions: Comes in multiple sizes

Cost: $50 for a set of two

Compression bags are the secret between fitting what you need and having to leave essentials鈥攍ike that sweater for foul weather, or a pair of flip flops for beach day鈥攂ehind. Eagle Creek offers some of the best compression sacks on the market: Its Pack-It Isolate Compression Cube shrinks gear inside via a burly zipper that, as you close it, pulls the bag and its contents together.

Packable Tote Bag: Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Tote Pack

Dimensions: 15.5 x 10.25 x 8 inches

Cost: $99

One of the quirks I鈥檝e developed over years of traveling is carrying this extremely lightweight (just 13 ounces) bag on pretty much every trip. It packs into its own pocket and, unfurled, you can carry it as a backpack or a tote. On the road, it has served as a perfect pack for grabbing groceries while walking the streets of Paris or bringing a bathing suit and a towel to a backcountry hot spring in New Mexico. (Usually, though, I simply use it as a laundry bag for dirty clothes.) When it comes time to pack for home, you also have an extra bag to carry on any souvenirs or other purchases you鈥檝e made along the way. I usually check my main suitcase (it doesn鈥檛 matter if it gets delayed on the way home) and carry on the most important things in a backpack and this tote bag.

Ryan Krogh is a freelance writer and editor based in Austin, Texas. In the last decade, he鈥檚 traveled to 27 countries and every U.S. state, nearly all with just a carry-on suitcase. This included his two-week honeymoon to Morocco and Paris, France, in 2022.**Not including his wife鈥檚 suitcases and the shipments home from the souks in Marrakech.

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Ever come across an incredible hotel that stops you mid-scroll and makes you think, Wow, wouldn鈥檛 it be something to stay there? We do, too鈥攁ll the time. Welcome to Friday Fantasy, where we highlight amazing hotels, lodges, cabins, tents, campsites, and other places perched in perfect outdoor settings. Read on for the intel you need to book an upcoming adventure here. Or at least dream about it.

From my perch on the pine-covered grounds at the , I was staring down at Tomales Bay, an hour north of San Francisco, trying to make out what was splashing in the water. My mind went to the most obvious place: sharks.

In late summer, the white shark is known to frequent northern Tomales Point, on the Pacific. I calmed down, then reasoned: Maybe bat rays. The shape billowed and shrunk and appeared to be made up of separate pieces. It had to be a school of fish. Beautiful. I鈥檇 never seen anything quite like it.

Access to nature on this gorgeous, quiet stretch of Northern Cal abounds at Marconi. The newly remodeled, 45-room property feels like a sophisticated, laid-back, improved version of summer camp. But one with a sauna to shake off the coastal fog after a day of adventuring, a bar serving harder-to-find regional wines, a massive central fire pit for evening gatherings in the woods, and an ideal position on Highway 1 for quick foodie field trips or wildlife-watching.

In the span of a few hours, I observed a great blue heron stalk a gopher, a bugling bull elk with five-point antlers court a handful of females, and a wild turkey sprint across the road.

The Lodge

The setting is a hilly 62-acre , with a curious recent past that still resonates with the Bay Area鈥檚 present. In the early 1900s, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi used the site as a receiving station to test long-distance radio signals鈥攁 precursor to today鈥檚 Wi-Fi and the Bay Area tech community. In the sixties, the property changed hands from innovative to more eccentric owners: the founders of Synanon, which began as a therapeutic drug-rehabilitation center but was eventually called out as and closed.

Today the Lodge at Marconi is all good vibes. The September weekend I visited, I shared the property with a large wedding party, young couples carrying toddlers and strolling trails with the family pup in tow (dogs are welcome overnight), and day-trippers picnicking at tables shaded by oaks and surrounded by pink lilies, with postcard views of moored fishing boats bobbing at high tide.

Marconi is on the verge of attracting considerable attention from Bay Area city-dwellers seeking a rural, comfortable hideout they can head to with family and friends. An on-site indoor-outdoor restaurant will open at the end of September with dinner service and a small bar. A day spa is in the works, as is a vegetable garden and farm-style cottages.

Eight miles south, the town of Point Reyes Station has a burgeoning artist and music scene, says Leah Fritts Vitali, Marconi鈥檚 general manager, who has resided down the road for 12 years.

鈥淭here鈥檚 an energy shift happening,鈥� she told me, one that seems to reflect the interests and values of more visitors. Marconi appeals to those who want to learn about and buy food grown locally, eat meals made from scratch, and spend time exploring protected lands, notably Point Reyes National Seashore, across the bay. 鈥淗ere you have the wilderness and a luxury lodge at a state park, and then this great community. Is this the benchmark of what鈥檚 to come elsewhere?鈥�

国产吃瓜黑料 Intel

The state park is crisscrossed by 3.5 miles of gently graded hiking trails. On an afternoon stroll, I topped out at the knoll called Tower Hill and looked toward the mouth of the narrow bay and across the water to the Point Reyes peninsula. Coastal clouds slid lazily over the low hills.

When the weather holds, the lodge offers free outdoor yoga on Sunday mornings, an ideal way to take in the eucalyptus- and pine-scented air. There are horseshoes and cornhole and volleyball and basketball courts. And whether you intend to or not, you鈥檒l be birding; I saw turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, and woodpeckers during my stay. If you鈥檙e looking for something rare, keep your binocs trained to the shoreline at the base of the property for , a threatened species.

Trips afield should definitely be part of your stay at Marconi. Reception staff can book horseback riding, photography safaris, and kayak rentals or guided tours of the bay鈥攊f your stay coincides with a new moon, be sure to get out on the water one night to paddle through the .

Before check-in, I spent the morning hiking the 9.7-mile (round-trip) at the northern tip of Point Reyes in search of the resident Tule elk herd. I came upon a half dozen after a mile, practically right next to me, and another handful ambling up steep bluffs through the mist about a mile later. The park has countless possibilities for recreation, is a quick and beautiful 11-mile drive from the lodge, and admission is free.

Choice Rooms

Marconi鈥檚 midcentury-modernistic buildings blend into the forested surrounds, with the fire pit as focal point. The popular spot is ringed with Adirondack chairs and just a quick trot to the lobby鈥檚 grab-and-go store, stocked with snacks and drinks. I loved how the main cluster of rooms so thoughtfully brought folks together.

If you鈥檙e a family, request one of the room configurations with a central downstairs bed and a loft with a second bed. I heard the mom in the room next to mine use that as an enthusiastic pitch to her youngster: 鈥淟ook, your own space!鈥� If your group is looking to sleep up to six, book rooms 304 and 305, which connect.

If you鈥檙e a couple here for a secluded getaway for two, the homey, singular A-frame is the best nest. The newlyweds who were married at the property holed up there, canoodling on the sunset-facing deck that overlooked the bay and eastern shores of Point Reyes. It provides a full kitchen, a huge, handsomely tiled bathroom with a tub, a spacious living room, and a king bedroom at the structure鈥檚 apex.

Eat and Drink

Starting September 30, you can amble the short distance from your accommodation to a brand-new 63-seat restaurant and bar called Mable鈥檚 (a loose acronym for the marine atmospheric boundary layer鈥攖he air that cools the Northern California coast in summer). The Mediterranean menu and wine and cocktails will draw largely from local ingredients, and by the end of 2025, Mable鈥檚 is expected to offer breakfast and bag lunches that you can stick in your daypack.

If you鈥檙e like most foodies, though, you already have a list of places nearby you intend to check out. One of those is probably the famous . Breakfast pastries from its downtown Tomales location are delivered to the lodge for guests to purchase, but you should go for yourself to indulge in the mouth-watering scents and test your power of restraint in the face of so many variations of warm bread. The waterfront Marshall Store, just a mile from the lodge, has all kinds of homemade sandwiches, soups, and goodies to satiate you during 听your stay or bring home to gift.

I like to have lunch in Point Reyes Station at the , a micro food hall. Pony up to The Farmer鈥檚 Wife for some gooey goodness鈥攐ne of its signature seasonal melts. The menu boasts 18 of these sandwiches, and the Belly and Jelly鈥攚ith bacon, apricot conserve, and aged Cheddar and blue cheese鈥攊s a customer favorite. What I鈥檓 suggesting next could be dairy overdose, but you absolutely can鈥檛 leave town without trying Double 8 Dairy鈥檚 buffalo-milk soft serve paired with whichever daily fermented fruit soda Wild West Ferments has on tap. The combo is a one-of-a-kind . I鈥檒l say no more.

When to Go

Fall is the heralded season in West Marin, when the marine layer gives way to more frequent sunny days; that said, you should always pack a puffy and expect evenings that drop to the fifties this season. Elk rutting happens from August through October, when males are their most vocal.

Fritts Vitali likes the 鈥渄rama of the weather鈥� in winter. December is when elephant seals begin to appear on beaches at Point Reyes National Seashore, where they remain generally until March.

The spring months are the greenest of the year. Wildflowers are in full bloom mid-April through mid-June, and the spring bird migration is celebrated with a three-day in April.

Four species of whales can be spotted off the Pacific in the summer months. August through November, Tomales Bay tends to have more nights of bioluminescence, because the water is warmer and calmer鈥攅specially enjoyable conditions for night kayakers.

How to Get There

You鈥檒l want a car to reach the Lodge at Marconi and make the most of your time in the area. The closest airport is in Santa Rosa, 40 miles northeast, but if you鈥檙e coming from farther afield, fly into the international airports in San Francisco and Oakland, both some 60 miles south.

One word of advice: If you鈥檙e headed up from San Francisco and prone to carsickness or vertigo, avoid Highway 1. The more streamlined route to Marconi is via Highway 101, turning west in Novato and continuing to Point Reyes Station.

Don鈥檛 Miss

Although there are a handful of farms that harvest oysters in Tomales Bay, is my favorite, and here鈥檚 why: not only is it the most convenient to the Lodge at Marconi, but it鈥檚 sustainable, founded by two marine biologists devoted to responsible practices, and the only such local farm to offer regular educational tours to the public ($48).

Marconi staff can secure you a spot here鈥攖he 75-minute tours book up in advance, so it helps to have an in. You won鈥檛 go out on the water but you will have a chance to see the construction of the oyster beds, understand the whole process from seed to table, and end your schooling with a primer on how to properly shuck the bivalves and a tasting.

Stick around for a fantastic brunch at its simple and scenic bayfront Boat Oyster Bar. The ripe tomato, peach, and apple salad I ordered (above left) was just as bright as the sweetwater oysters in mignonette sauce, and all of it washed down nicely with one of the best sake Bloody Marys of my life. Tops.

Details

Price: From $299

Address: 18500 Highway 1
Marshall, CA 94940

To book: Click to get a 15 percent discount when making your reservation or听 (If you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.)

Tasha Zemke is 国产吃瓜黑料 magazine鈥檚 managing editor and a member of its online travel team. She thinks the greater Tomales Bay area is one of the best places in the world to work up an appetite outdoors and reward yourself with amazing locally sourced food and drinks.

The post The Lodge at Marconi Opens the Door to Gorgeous Nature and an Incredible Local Food Scene appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.